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Arsenal transfer news: Complications could prevent last minute deal

Mathieu Debuchy looked certain to leave the club this January, with his Arsenal career seemingly all but over. There have apparently been complications with a potential loan move to Sunderland though, and Sam Allardyce is now sceptical over whether a deal can be done, according to the Daily Star.

The former West Ham boss reportedly made an approach for the struggling right-back, with the intention of bringing him to the Stadium of Light on loan. He claims he’s not sure whether Debuchy wants to leave the club though, or whether Arsene Wenger actually wants to let him go.

“I am not sure he wants to leave Arsenal or that Arsene Wenger would sell him,” Allardyce said.

It seems hard to imagine Debuchy not wanting to leave, as he’s been totally pushed out of the first team picture at the Emirates. Hector Bellerin has unquestionably become our first choice right-back, and there doesn’t appear to be any chance of him giving the starting spot up.

The Frenchman needs to play first-team football in order to have any chance of qualifying for the French Euro 2016 side – which seems unlikely anyway – so unless leaving would cut his wages somehow then a reluctance to leave on his part would seem strange.

Wenger blocking the move seems far more likely though, as Debuchy’s departure would leave us extremely short at right-back. There were reports of a recall clause being inserted in any potential deal (via the Evening Standard), but if that’s not possible then what would we stand to gain?

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Letting Debuchy leave would mean we have no back-up for Bellerin for the remainder of the campaign, which is not something we can afford to do. The loan fee we’d get for Debuchy would be nominal anyway, and as he’s under contract, we really shouldn’t bow to the pressure.

The fans obviously wouldn’t be hugely upset if Debuchy were to never take to the field in Arsenal colours again, but would be probably react terribly were we to loan the 30-year-old out, and then see an injury to Hector Bellerin. It’s a bit of a rock and a hard place situation for Wenger, but unless he can secure a replacement then letting his compatriot go seems risky.